Nagaland: Padmashree Natwar Thakkar Memorial Old-Age Home dedicated

DIMAPUR — Padmashree Natwar Thakkar Memorial Old-Age Home, an initiative of Chuchuyimlang Baptist Church (CBC), Chuchuyimlang, Mokokchung, was dedicated on Saturday at a function attended by church officials, Village Council members, and prominent citizens, including Padmashree Lentina Thakkar, wife of Padmashree Natwar Thakkar, founder of Nagaland Gandhi Ashram (NGA), Chuchuyimlang.

The Home has been established at the suggestion of late Natwar Thakkar, who, in 2009, donated to the church INR 2 lakh, which he had received as cash rewards from various honours, including INR 1 lakh for the ‘Lifetime Contribution to Naga People Award’ conferred upon him in 2009 by Chuchuyimlang Citizens’ Forum.

Making the donation at that time, Thakkar urged the church to implement projects that would have a positive impact on the lives of the elderly people in the village. Using the amount as seed money, the church augmented the fund for the creation of the Home with a contribution from the church as well as voluntary donations. An amount of INR 5 lakh was also received from The Hans Foundation, New Delhi, towards the project.

Speaking on the occasion, the Convenor of the Construction Committee, Lanumatong, highlighted the timeline of the project’s implementation, while Rev. T. Lima, Pastor of CBC, who led the dedicatory service, made a presentation on the future plans for running the Home.

Stating that the facility has been named after Thakkar to celebrate his life and work, which were centred solely on uplifting the lives of the less privileged in society, he mentioned that a well-thought-out, need-based system would be worked out for operationalising the Home to generate maximum benefit for the needy elders.

Dr. Aotoshi, Managing Trustee of NGA Chuchuyimlang, who also spoke on the occasion, urged the citizens, especially the youth, to render voluntary services to the elders through the Home. He emphasised the fact that elderly parents and grandparents need more physical and emotional care than material assistance such as money and other luxuries. As such, he noted, the Home should be utilised effectively as a hub of activities for the care of the elders.

Guru Chubatozung, a senior member of Chuchuyimlang Village Council, extended gratitude to Thakkar and CBC for the novel initiative. He assured the Home of all possible help from the Village Council to successfully run its activities.